|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Punked-up, über-cool garage rock with strut and swagger from the UK scenesters. Hit Leave Me Alone, plus Rip It Up, Rock ‘N’ Roll Lies, Up All Night, more. |
|
|
|
| 1 Leave Me Alone |
|
|
| 2 Rock N Roll Lies |
|
|
| 3 Vice |
|
|
| 4 Up All Night |
|
|
| 5 Which Way Is Out |
|
|
| 6 Rip It Up |
|
|
| 7 Don't Go Back to Dalston |
|
|
| 8 Golden Touch |
|
|
| 9 Stumble and Fall |
|
|
| 10 In the City |
|
|
| 11 To the Sea |
|
|
| 12 Fall, Fall, Fall |
|
|
Album Review
There must be a healthy middle when it comes to capturing the essence of Britpop. Something in between the impenetrable swagger of the Gallaghers' and the vacuous and hollow bravado of Jet that can both pay homage to big riffs and bad attitude, yet still maintain a unique personality, which is what made the rock gods of yesteryear so endearing. Razorlight mastermind, lead singer/guitarist Johnny Borrell wants so desperately to be the next Joe Strummer or Lou Reed, and for what Razorlight's first album lacks in identity, it gathers momentum on effort and sheer will.
It's the same, albeit slightly worse, garage rock revival record that's been all too common in the early 00's, but quick, aggressive tracks such as Vice, Rip It Up, Golden Touch and Stumble And Fall are undeniably catchy and "Borrell" himself is largely responsible for playing them as if he really were the next Freddie Mercury. He wails and passionately groans over some horribly vapid vocals, “hey girl/get on the dancefloor/rip it up, yeah/that's what it's there for,” (on Rip It Up) but even a bad cover version of your favourite Strokes-type song can still appeal to the less cynical part of your brain.
Even John Cornfield and "Borrell's" production seems like a shoddy attempt to re-create the frontman's favourite records note for note. His desire to add a layer of grime by muddying up the louder moments (such as on Don't Go Back To Dalston, which starts off quietly before careening into a bloated call and answer conclusion) doesn't remove the feeling that the entire recording process was extremely sterile. At this stage, "Borrell" lacks the confidence to move beyond his idols, and his energetic music remains a game of spot the influence. ~ Erik Leijon, All Music Guide
|
|
|
• Biography
|
Other albums by: Razorlight |
|
|
more  |
|
|
|
